"mis-represented" hours (long)

[GJH442]

I will not name dealer at this time. We have begun to have some discussion which at this time is not going well.
1999 Fiesta Vee 330 advertised, surveyed, and sold to me with 69 hours. ( I know, should have been a red flag !!!!!!!)  Anyway after having some drive issues along with some other concerns, I had the engines scanned and guess what they have 424 / 429 hours. Lesson 1: ALWAYS MAKE ENGINE SCANS A CONDITION OF THE SALE IN WRITING. I had it verbally agreed to and was told one time the scanner was not available and the next time it broken. (red flag)
Anyway here is the issue. I am having drive issues along with some other concerns. The 1 drive has been o/hauled by me and the other has some issues. The dealer says he was not aware of it and the difference in hours is a non-issue as the boat is still good value. Maybe so but I did not get what I thought I paid for. I have more wear and tear on the boat than I anticipated.
Couple of questions.
1.) What should the difference in value be.
2.) What is the "normal" life of a 350 EFI engine and cost to o/haul.
3.) What is the "normal" life of a Bravo III drive
My position is this. He does not owe me the potential difference in value  (he claims there is none) but rather he owes me or needs to compensate me the cost to make the boat in the condition I thought I purchased it.
At this point I think we are heading for some legal action but I want to make a proposal to him to "make me go away"  Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Break Aweight]

I believe that you have two seperate issues. Misrepresentation and value. My fisrt question did you buy the boat because of lower market value or was it priced in the market range?

[GJH442]

I would say it was priced at fair market value or slightly high at 69,900 (Canadian) based on what I saw and the "low hours". The boat cosmetically in excellent condition.  There certainly is a huge price range on this boat/year.

[Lifes Good]

I'd fight on the mis-rep issue!  To answer your question on hours...  A well cared for engine should get 2000 hrs or 20 years. So you still have 75% hours remaining.  Drives I am not sure about but I think very similar to engines.  Good luck!

[Break Aweight]

Based on this I think you should definitely seek legal advise on this matter you have a good point based on price and representation.

[PBJT]

Sounds like the boat listed near London.

Pete

[GJH442]

Lifes Good.  I think you are way high but may be so if the boat had excellent service and was not beat on. I do not know the history on my boat. With 69 hours on it I was not too worried. With 424 I am concerned.  Dealer says difference in hours is a non issue.  NOT TO ME. ITS HUGE. I would guess it would take me 6-8 years to put the difference in hours on.

[ruwallydog]

I have read the 2000 hour figure before so I think its probably correct, assuming proper maintenance, etc. Regardless if I am you I am major pi$$ed off. They misrepresented the boat period! Like the others have said get your attorney involved immediately.

Really sorry you had this trouble and I will be hoping it works out for you.

-kurt

[wet]

Welcome to the marine industry.They treat you like #%*^.Try getting away with that in the auto world.

[Black_Diamond]

Another darkside of boat dealer story.  I'd get a lawyer, file a complaint with the BBB in your area too.

[pepmyster]

Before getting a lawyer involed, Can't you just take it back? The lawyer will just eat up any monies you will be expecting back anyway. Walk strong, Carry a big stick, BUT, Don't let it get to you.

[Lifes Good]

Think about the 2000 hours this way.  It is very easy to burn a 100 hours per year.  If you have a 15 to 20 year lone, you better get 20 years out of your $15k engine(s)!  Good luck...

[mightys4]

I'm sorry, I'm with you, it was flat mis-represented.

This happened to me with a car for my wife, promised, in writing, no prior body work or damage, well....  Insurance agent calls on Monday, not only was it hit, the dealership did the body work.  Well, they got it back, and we walked.

Its one thing to buy a boat with 400 hours on it and you KNOW IT, but when you think its a cream puff and its supposed to have 70 hours on it, that's a different story.

Problem is, you already worked one drive....  Hard to give it back now.  They owe you, question is, what will make you feel whole?

[GJH442]

So back to the question............How much am I owed. He has offered to "help me out" on my drive repair  while saying the difference in hours is a non issue. The drives were supposed to have been re-conditioned or gone over due to corrosion issues which are a known problem with early Bravo III drives.  There was no warranty expressed or implied on the boat so I began repairs then called. They said bring the drive back and we will take care of it and at the same time suggesting they could get new drives for $1800.  By this time It had been determined the drive was a piece of junk and had not been assembled correctly with a mix of new and used parts. Why would I send my drive back to the same place that did this ?   Obviously there remains a HUGE QUESTION MARK on the other drive. It was during this process that the hours were determined to be "wrong". So now the hours take priority over everything and my position is that we already have one drive issue, a big question mark on the other drive because the same guy did both, and a lot more wear on the entire boat. I did not get what I thought I was paying for. It  really makes no difference what I paid be it low, fair, or high market value.  So I need some help to detrermine how much I am owed.  Your thoughts are appreciated.

[earl1z19]

If it were me and I was truly unhappy I would return the boat to the dealer along with any repair bills I encountered and demand a full refund. If the difference in hours is a non issue for him, let him find another customer who feels the same way. You didn't state how long ago or recently the sales transaction occurred, just curious.